Following is a list of Samaritan Award applicants and winners with a brief description of their projects. Decisions were made by a Selection Committee which included two faculty members, three staff members, and two students. No member of the Committee was affiliated with the Suffolk University Counseling Center.

Samaritan Award Winners

• An Investigation of the Mental Health Needs of the Suffolk University GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender) Community

  By: Eric L. Sullivan, Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology and John D’Agosta, Undergraduate Senior

This project is designed to highlight the stress that members of the GLBT community face daily as a result of the negative impact of prejudice and bias towards this population. The students who created this project feel that those in the process coming out as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender, and those who have come out already, experience immense pressure to maintain the facade of heterosexuality in order to avoid society’s ill will. The students want to learn more about the mental health needs of this population at Suffolk University in order to address issues of isolation and despondency. The proposal includes plans 1) to identify the mental health needs of the Suffolk University GLBT; 2) determine the levels of depression among this community; 3) generate a report of the findings; 4) create preventative programs based upon the results of this research; 5) work in collaboration with the Counseling Center to create interventions specific to needs identified in his project; and 6) publish this information for the Suffolk Community to access.

• Gbe mi Soke (Lifted Up)

  By: Otuyelu Mobolaji, Freshman

The goal of this proposal is to "lift" international students out of the throes of depression through awareness. International students (especially African students) are at high risk for depression caused by the compound stressors of adjusting to a new culture, dealing with academic demands, and language differences, which can result in isolation and loneliness. Gbe mi soke is a project aimed at educating the Suffolk University community about the effects of "culture shock" and how it affects international and bi-cultural students. This project was created by Otuyelu Mobolaji who was born in the United States, yet has lived her entire life in Nigeria. As a result of moving back to the United States to attend Suffolk University, she has experienced stress and culture shock. Her proposal includes creating a video of international students speaking about their views on culture shock and depression. A discussion would follow the video in order to give students, both international and domestic, a chance to express their reaction to the issues presented. Also, the project includes a function for all students that would identify different cultures and eliminate stereotypes.

• Depression and the Biochemical Relationship

  By: Jennifer Button, Undergraduate Student, Chemistry Major

The goal of this project is to educate the Suffolk University community about the biochemical imbalances in the body which cause depression and the effectiveness of medication to treat depression. One focus of the presentations at the center of this project is on the belief held by many people that depression is simply when a person feels sad for a few hours which leads to questions about why someone would be medicated for this sadness.

The activities involved in this proposal include a power point presentation by Jennifer Button explaining which chemicals cause depression and a presentation given by Dr. Andrew Clark explaining the treatment of depression from a chemical point of view. Pamphlets would be provided to those in attendance that include detailed information about depression and a link to a website that students can use to access further research and information. The hopes of this project are to create a more caring community at Suffolk University through eliminating the stigma of depression and by making people more aware of the fact that depression is a biochemical disorder and individuals suffering from depression are not "making it up".

• Oasis Room #2

  By: Lisa Sobolewski, Undergraduate Student, Interior Design Major and Omar Ramirez, International Undergraduate Student

This proposal is an extension of a previous Samaritan Awards project from last year. Lisa is an interior design major who wants to expand upon the existing Oasis Room, which Omar created last year. This proposal plans to build upon the effectiveness of the Oasis Room through creating more Oasis Rooms in designated buildings and addressing the concerns of students who fight depression and anxiety throughout the school year, especially the dismal winter months.

This proposal includes ideas to enhance the current Oasis Room and create others to relieve stress, lessen depression and provide a place of comfort to students. This would be done through additions including soothing colors, artwork, tapestries and more comfortable seating. The goal of this proposal is to create a more caring community at Suffolk University by making students aware that depression, anxiety, and stress do exist and Oasis Rooms can provide them with a calm place to seek relief.

Sponsored by ADAPT
(Action for Depression Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment)